In brief:

I'm a redheaded mama with four lovely daughters. We're based in southern Australia and travel in a small, colourful housebus — meeting inspiring people, learning lots and re-thinking everything. I feel passionately about spirituality, good design, alternative education, discussing death and conscious parenting.

The darling of international film festivals is now showing in cinemas across Australia.

Gayby Baby follows four children over the course of several years as they navigate the hiccups of home-life, school-work and figuring out their place in the world. Yes, their parents are in same-sex relationships, but Director Maya Newell was adamant that she wasn’t trying to make a 85-minute commercial for gay and lesbian parents.

We’re shown glimpses into raw family life — children rebelling, parents yelling, an emergency admission to hospital, a car breakdown on the way to a crucial appointment, a family deciding to lie about their relationship and a boy quizzing the minister about God’s view on same-sex couples. There are tears and laughter — lots of laughter from the audience. It’s an unexpected comedy where the children are the comedians with all their best lines polished and edited for posterity.

At the screening I attended, the crowd was likely already comfortable with the idea of alternative families, but after seeing the film, I can’t imagine a hostile audience. The starring children quickly charm and endear themselves despite being, well, kids.

Parenting is hard, as Director Maya Newell reminded us during the Q&A afterwards, and that doesn’t have anything to do with a parent’s sexuality. “Same-sex parents shouldn’t have to be seen as perfect to be recognised as equal — equally flawed.”

I was pleased to have the opportunity to congratulate Charlotte Mars and Maya Newell on their exceptional production after the screening.

Because of the feedback I received around the word “gayby”, I asked Maya what she thought about the term and why she decided to use it. Maya explained that “gayby” was coined by children of same-sex couples, and although it wasn’t a word she often used in identifying herself, she obviously thought it had value in certain circumstances and was a easy, “cutesy” nickname.

I remember I first heard about the Gayby Baby documentary during initial talks with my friends in Iceland as we discussed our own gayby production. Their son was born in November last year, and we remain excellent friends with almost daily contact between our two families.

In Iceland, Daníel Valur is growing up with his two loving dads.

A film like Gayby Baby can only raise awareness, promote tolerance and build the the world into a better place. Check the Gayby Project website to find a future screening near you, or bring together at least fifty people and organise your own screening. Go, go, go!

I gotta say though, I’m really over human beings, especially defenseless babies, being objectified. Why are people like you labeling these children? They are babies. They are children. They’re not gaybies or straightbies. As a black female who’s only ever been labeled/ patronized by white liberals, I think that’s so totally heinous and disconcerting.

Hi Lauren! I’ve dropped in randomly over the last few months hoping to see you – I enjoy your thoughtful comments on life – and am glad to see your recent writing. I’m so looking forward to seeing Gayby Baby – we donated to its kickstarter fund as a family a while back – I love Maya’s idea of simply making a film that shows how very ordinary and funny and real and loving a family can be no matter what the sexual orientation of the parents. When I saw the storm in a teacup raised in NSW over it being shown in a school – well, it was a deep sigh and head shaking moment. I hope your dear children are well and that you are too. Looking forward to hearing about more of your adventures.

Thank you for this. I am a gay woman who adopted as a single mother. I am now married to a wonderful woman, and we are raising our daughter together, and are talking about adopting another!

There is nothing disgusting about a loving couple providing a loving, nurturing environment for a child.

And I understand people have very bold, strong opinions about this subject, but I don’t need anyone’s permission or acceptance to create and love my family.

Lauren, I have spent the past few weeks reading your blog after randomly discovering it. While I may not agree with all of your choices regarding parenting and education, I champion your right to raise your family as you see fit, knowing and seeking what is best for them. You have been down a very long, arduous road, and you have come out on the other side stronger, and I salute you for being an example of a strong woman to your girls. May God bless your journey.

Hi Lauren, I am a lesbian with two children conceived through the kindness of known donors and I’m filled with happiness to see baby Daníel thriving with his dads. Thank you, it.means.so.much. Having read your blog for many years now, I am aware of your own personal journey through difficult circumstances from learned homophobia to acceptance. I have so much respect for you and wish you and your family all the very best xx

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Whatever remarks you choose to leave reflect on the state of your own being and character and not on me or my family — especially if you have never met us and lived alongside us. I understand this; when you truly comprehend this too, we have begun to transform the world into a kinder place.